Police officer, eight others killed in Rivers

A police officer and eight others have reportedly been killed by unknown gunmen at different locations in three Local Government Areas of Rivers State. 

The policeman was allegedly killed at a checkpoint in Rukpokwu town in Obio/Akpo Local Government Area. 

It was gathered that the killers, who operated in a white Hilux van, shot directly at the victim and carted away his rifle. 
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Ogoni confirmed killing of the police officer, and that the command was on the bandits’ track. 

It was also gathered that two persons, who were strong supporters of the major opposition political party in the state, were shot dead in Ozuaha community in Ikwerre Local Government Area on Friday night.

The Guardian gathered that another six persons were reportedly killed, including a family of three in Erema community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, while two persons lost their lives in Ozuaha in Ikwerre Local Government.

A source disclosed that a local vigilante group stormed a village in Erema and killed a mother, father and son in one family, after their son, suspected to be a cultist, escaped from the group. 

The anonymous source said within Erema community, one other person was killed in a cult related crisis, bringing the number of the deaths to nine.